Over 1000 prostitutes in Mizoram: Survey

Published: Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 16:09 [IST]

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Aizawl, May 22 (UNI) A survey conducted by Kristian Thalai Pawl (KTP), youth wing of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, has revealed that there were more than 1000 commercial sex workers (CSW) operating in Mizoram.

The finding also pointed out that there were a large number of HIV positives among the prostitutes.

While most of the sex workers were forced into the trade due to broken families or financial hardships, a few of them were in the trade for pleasures, the finding said.

Normally, prostitutes, locally referred to as KS (Khawpui Service, or city service) in Aizawl and some cabbie also play important part in their business, highlighted the survey.

While many concerned people have raised the need for a red-light area in Aizawl, the KTP had strongly objected to it.

Social worker and rights activist Ruatfela Nu, who had done a five-year research on prostitution in Mizoram, has authored two books on prostitution in Mizoram.

NGOs' working in this field have provided the cabbie with adequate contraceptives.

According to Ruatfela Nu, CSWs in Aizawl are classified into first, second and third class.

Ruatfela Nu had found from the study that poverty was the biggest force behind the prostitution. " About 90 per cent of KS came from either broken or financially backward families," the research found.

Ruatfela Nu, as well as other researchers, has disclosed that the number of minors (between 12-13 years of age) among the KS have increased.